Jaguars' coaching search ends with Gus Bradley

Friday

Jan 18, 2013 at 1:15 AM

Ryan O'Halloran

Searching for a coach who was equal parts energetic and intense, tactician and leader, the Jaguars hired Gus Bradley on Thursday hoping he and new general manager Dave Caldwell can provide stability and success to a franchise that has been adrift in both departments since its last playoff appearance five years ago.

Now it's up to the new coach to put together a staff, with offensive coordinator the key component.

Bradley, 46, served as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator the last three years and wowed Caldwell during an interview Wednesday. Bradley, who will be introduced to the media on Friday, is the Jaguars' third head coach in as many years.

The move completed owner Shad Khan's massive makeover that started a day after the Jaguars completed a 2-14 season, the worst in team history.

Bradley and Caldwell no doubt talked about offensive coordinators during the interview and that process continued Thursday when the Jaguars asked for permission to speak with New Orleans assistant Pete Carmichael. But he opted to remain with the Saints.

The Jaguars have three staff openings (all on offense) and are expected to employ new offensive and defensive coordinators.

Only once the coordinators are in place will the process of deciding on the quarterback situation, the preferred schemes and whom to pick with the No. 2 overall draft choice in late April will begin.

Just as he was decisive last week in closing the door on acquiring current Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, Caldwell acted similarly in finding a replacement for Mike Mularkey.

The first interview wasn't until Monday. Only four candidates were interviewed. And among the eight new head coaches, Bradley is the only one with a defensive background.

"It was just a matter of time before Gus Bradley became a head coach in the NFL," Caldwell said in a statement.

HIRING STAFF NEXT

Bradley is expected to attend at least one day of Senior Bowl practices next week in Mobile, Ala., and he could have some of his staff in place by then.

Early defensive coordinator candidates to emerge are Seattle defensive line coach Todd Wash and Chicago linebackers coach Bob Babich. Wash and Bradley were on the same staffs in Tampa Bay and Seattle and Bradley coached for Babich at North Dakota State.

Current Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, who interviewed on Monday with Caldwell, remains under contract but is expected to pursue another opportunity, which could be in Cleveland.

The only current Jaguars assistant coach with a tie to Bradley is assistant head coach-quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, who was on the same Buccaneers staff in 2008. He has coordinator and play-calling experience.

Carmichael won't be available as offensive coordinator, nor will former Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, who was hired by San Diego to run the offense. Veteran play-callers available include former Baltimore coordinator Cam Cameron and Bengals receivers coach Hue Jackson.

Bradley's background is running a 4-3 defensive scheme, which would mean less of a transition for the Jaguars' personnel. Seattle's defense allowed the league's fewest points this regular season; the Jaguars' defense was tied for 29th in that category.

"Watching Seattle's defense all year was a pleasure," Jaguars linebacker Russell Allen said. "They were physical and fast and aggressive and fun to watch. I'm excited about that."

"He's got a brilliant football mind," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters last week. "He's got a way of reaching people and touching people and getting the best out of them, both coaches and players. He's got everything you're looking for."

Caldwell opted not to wait to interview any assistants whose teams are playing in Sunday's conference title games, including San Francisco offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who was also Caldwell's college roommate.

Bradley interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday and was told by owner Jeffrey Lurie he was one of two finalists.

"We were all in on Gus Bradley," general manager Howie Roseman told WIP Radio in Philadelphia. "He was incredibly impressive."

The Eagles, though, hired Chip Kelly after he reconsidered and left the University of Oregon. Soon after, Roseman said he called Caldwell to recommend Bradley.

"Gus more than met every criteria we insisted on from our new head coach and his intangibles and leadership abilities are exceptional," Caldwell said. "Gus is who the Jaguars need now and in the future."

Bradley's path to the Jaguars was unconventional. Sure, he was a position coach for two years (linebackers in Tampa Bay, 2007-08) before his three years as a coordinator with Seattle. But he didn't get to the NFL until he was nearly 40 years old.

A native of southeast Minnesota, Bradley played at North Dakota State and spent the first 16 years of his coaching career at the Division II or Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-A level).

Seven years later, Bradley is an NFL head coach.

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